Display devices



1967 F. L JAHN 3,29,1

DISPLAY DEVICES 20, 2 sh t s l 4i a (f ATTOEY 17, 1967 F 1.. JAHN 3,22%,341

DISPLAY DEVICES Filed April 20. 1966 2 Sheets$heet 2 United States Patent 3,298,124 DISPLAY DEVICES Fred L. Jahn, Pittsfield, Mass., assignor to EatonPaper Corporation, Pittsfield, Ma'ss., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 20, 1966, Ser. No. 544,012 9 Claims. (31. 40-156) This invention relates to photograph display devices. It is particularly directed to a display device comprising a backing member and means for displaying photographs, such as snapshots, on variable divided areas of said backing member.

An object of this invention is to provide a display device of the character described, in which a backing member has an iron sheet incorporated therein and in which elongated magnetic members are held on the backing member by magnetic attraction and may be arranged in such a way as to provide variable areas for receiving the photographs and with said magnetic members serving to hold the photographs in place on the backing member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, in which the backing member is provided with a frame at the perimeter thereof, and in which the frame and the strips provide guide grooves into which the edges of the photographs may project.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described, flexible magnetic strips which wont break if dropped, which are less costly than rigid magnets, which will not warp, which are light, and in which the magnetic material comprises a pliable rubber-like material impregnated with fine magnetic particles, and in which the pliable magnetic material contacts the photographs so as not to damage them. If the back board becomes warped, these strips will yield to the shape of the back board so as to provide good contact for the photographs.

A further object of this invention is to provide a display device of the character described comprising elongated magnetic members in which the pliable magnetic material is backed up by an iron strip, to increase the ability of the magnetic material to act as a magnet.

A further object of this invention is to provide a display device of the character described, in which the elongated magnetic members are all of the same length and may be arranged on the back member to provide a plurality of areas of the same dimension to receive photographs, some areas extending vertically and others transversely, and said magnetic members being movable to different positions on the back board and easily removable or applied, and in which said members are retained in position by magnetic attraction of the magnetic material to the iron sheet in the back member.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide in a display device of the character described, a backing member in which the rectangular frame is providedwi-th stepped shoulders to receive a sheet of corrugated cardboard and the iron sheet, and in which the rear of the cardboard and the front of the iron sheet are covered by decorative sheet material.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a strong, durable and rugged display device of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, attractive in appearance, easy to manipulate, which has provision for hanging the same on a wall, and which shall yet be practical and efficient to a high de gree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction a display device embodying the invention.

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hereinafter described, and of which the scope of inven tion will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown an illustrative embodiment of this invention,

FIG. 1 is a front view of a display device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the structure shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a rear view of one corner of the device with the decorative back sheet partially pulled back.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates The same comprises a frame 11 having side members 12 interconnected by top and bottom members 13. Members 12 and 13 are of similar transverse cross-section. Each of frame members 12 has a front face 15 and an outer side face 16. Each of side members 12 has an inwardly extending head or flange 17 formed with a rear surface 18. At one end of the rear surface 18, is a shoulder surface 19 perpendicular to surface 15. Extending outwardly from the rear end of surface 19, is a surface 20 extending toward surface 16 and parallel to surface 15. Extending rearwardly from surface 20, is a surface 21 at right angles to the surface 20. Extending outwardly from the rear end of surface 21, is a surface 22 parallel to surface 15 and at right angles to surface 16. At the right end of surface 22 is a surface 23. Surfaces 21 and 23 form abutment surfaces, whereas, surfaces 20 and 22 form shoulders for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Mounted within the frame and contacting the shoulder 20 of the four members 12 and 13 is a rectangular sheet 25 of iron, such as mill tin black iron. The edges of sheet 25 contact the abutment surface 21. The height of the surface 21 is substantially equal to the thickness of the plate 25.

Mounted on the shoulders 22 of the members 12 and 13, is a rectangular corrugated cardboard sheet member 26 substantially abutting the surfaces 23 and contacting the rear of the plate 25. The cardboard 26 may be held in place by any suitable fastening means or by means of glue. The rear of the corrugated. cardboard member 26 as well as the rear surfaces 27 of members 12 and 13 are covered by a decorative sheet 28 of paper, plastic, bookbinders cloth or any other suitable thin flexible sheet material. The sheet 28 may be applied by means of glue or any other suitable manner. Also the front surface of iron plate 25 is covered by sheet 30 of paper, plastic, bookbinders cloth or any other suitable thin flexible sheet material. The sheet 30 extends to the surface 19 of the frame members 11 and 12.

The area inside the frame 11 may be divided into various areas by a plurality of similar elongated straight magnetic members 40, which will also act to hold down photographs 41a on sheet 30. Each member 40 comprises an elongated board, stick or strip 41 of wood or like material. Contacting the inner surface 42 of the strip 41, is a thin iron strip or plate 43. This strip 43 may also be made of mill tin black iron. A strip 44 of decorative paper, plastic or bookbinders cloth may be wrapped around the strips 41, 43 and glued or otherwise adhered thereto.

Cemented to the inner side of the wrapper 44 is an elongated magnetic strip or bar 45. This material of which strip 45 is made may comprise fine ferrite particles impregnated in pliable plastic or rubber-like material. Polyethylene plastic may be used for this purpose. The

ferrite is treated to provide a magnetic field or permanent magnet.

The proportions of the frame are such that the inner area within the frame has a ratio of 5 t 3, that is, in length to 3 in width. Thus three vertically extending areas and two horizontally extending areas, of all the same dimension, may be formed with four magnetic members 40. Each area may receive three square photographs or snapshots 41a. The edges of the .photographs which are toward the frame members 12 or 13, may extend in back of the flanges 17. The edges of the photographs or snapshots which confront the magnetic members 40, may underlie the magnetic flexible or pliable strips 45 and hence are masked by the magnetic members 40. Members 40 wont break if dropped, and are less costly than rigid magnetic bars such as Alnico or ceramic magnets. Members 40 are-straight, whereas Alnico or ceramic magnets will warp when made in longer lengths. The present members 40 weigh less, and the pliability and flexibility and softness of the magnetic strips 45 wont damage the photographs. Furthermore, members 40 are flexible and if the back board is warped, the said members will better conform to the back board so as to better remain in contact with the photographs. It will be noted, furthermore, that the iron strip or bar 43 increases the ability of the strips 40 to act as a magnet.

Photographs of different sizes may be accommodated. The strips are easily removed and applied and they may be arranged in different manner from that shown. For example, four strips may be used equally spaced apart and disposed transversely relative to the frame members 12. Also, one or more of the strips may be omitted to provide areas of-larger size to accommodate larger photographs.

It will be seen that the strip of wood 41 is wider than the strip of the pliable magnetic material 45. The wood strip extends beyond the side edges of the strip 45. Thus, a photograph may be engaged beneath the guide portions of the wrapped wood strip. The flanges 17 may be integrally formed with the frame members 12 and 13 or may be separate strips glued or otherwise attached to the frame members. It will be noted, that the ends of members 12 and 13 are diagonally cut, as at 12a, 13a and the meeting ends of said members are interconnected by fasteners or staples 50, as shown in FIG. 6.

A metal ring or loop 60 is threaded though a flexible loop 61 attached to the rear central upper end of the backing member so that the display device may be hung on a wall.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A display device comprising a rectangular backing member of greater length than Width, and including an iron plate, a frame about the perimeter of said backing member extending forwardly beyond the front face of said backing member and a plurality of elongated magnetic members of substantially equal length, each removably mounted on and contacting the front side of said backing member throughout its length and held inside of said frame and against said backing member by magnetic attraction the length of each magnetic member being substantially equal to the width of said backing member and the length of said backing member being such that said magnetic members can be arranged on said backing member to divide the area of said backing member, inside said frame, into a plurality of substantially equal smaller areas, with at least one of said magnetic members being arranged at right angles to another magnetic member, with none crossing each other.

2. The combination of claim 1, each magnetic member comprising a strip of stiff flexible material and a strip of pliable rubber-like magnetic material on one face of the first strip and coextensive therewith, with said pliable strip contacting said backing member and said stiff strip spaced from and parallel to said backing member.

3. The combination of claim 2, said pliable material comprising a rubber-like material impregnated with permanently magnetic fine iron particles.

4. The combination of claim 1, said backing member comprising a cardboard backing for said iron plate, and said frame having stepped shoulders to selectively receive said plate and cardboard member.

5. The combination of claim 4, said frame having flanges extending inwardly and spaced away from said iron plate.

6. The combination of claim 4, a decorative sheet cover for the front of the iron plate and a decorative sheet cover for the rear of said cardboard member and the rear of said frame.

7. The combination of claim 2, and a strip of iron contacting said strip of stiff flexible material.

8. The combination of claim 7, and a sheet wrapped about said stilf strip and iron strip.

9. The combination of claim 2, said stiff strip being wider than said pliable strip and extending beyond both sides of said pliable strip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,177,905 10/1939 McKeehan 40158 2,593,195 4/1952 Rosenberg 40-152 2,864,275 12/1958 Fraleigh 40142 3,093,919 6/1963 Holtz 40-142 3,156,056 11/1964 Pribil 40-63 3,224,126 12/ 1965 Bogusz 4063 FOREIGN PATENTS 552,327 4/1943 England. 1,029,830 3/1953 France.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. W. J. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY DEVICE COMPRISING A RECTANGULAR BACKING MEMBER OF GREATER LENGTH THAN WIDTH, AND INCLUDING AN IRON PLATE, A FRAME ABOUT THE PERIMETER OF SAID BACKING MEMBER EXTENDING FORWARDLY BEYOND THE FRONT FACE OF SAID BACKING MEMBER AND A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED MAGNETIC MEMBERS OF SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL LENGTH, EACH REMOVABLY MOUNTED ON AND CONTACTING THE FRONT SIDE OF SAID BACKING MEMBER THROUGHOUT ITS LENGTH AND HELD INSIDE OF SAID FRAME AND AGAINST SAID BACKING MEMBER BY MAGNETIC ATTRACTION THE LENGTH OF EACH MAGNETIC MEMBER BEING SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF SAID BACKING MEMBER AND THE LENGTH OF SAID BACKING MEMBER BEING SUCH THAT SAID MAGNETIC MEMBERS CAN BE ARRANGED ON SAID BACKING MEMBER TO DIVIDE THE AREA OF SAID BACKING MEMBER, INSIDE SAID FRAME, INTO A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL SMALLER AREAS, WITH AT LEAST ONE OF SAID MAGNETIC MEMBERS BEING ARRANGED AT RIGHT ANGLES TO ANOTHER MAGNETIC MEMBER, WITH NONE CROSSING EACH OTHER. 